Latest news with #LeftLaneCapital
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Chess: Aronian takes big top prize in Las Vegas as Niemann celebrates Carlsen's downfall
Levon Aronian, at 42 the oldest in the tournament, scored what he described as 'one of the crown jewels' of his career to win the $200,000 (£148,000) first prize at the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Grand Slam last weekend. Aronian did it in style, winning matches against the world No 1 Magnus Carlsen, the No 2 Hikaru Nakamura and the No 5 Arjun Erigaisi en route to victory. Carlsen had to settle for the third prize of $100,000, plus the further indignity of finishing behind his arch enemy Hans Niemann, whose game with the Norwegian at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup led to allegations of cheating and a $100m lawsuit, which was eventually settled out of court. Niemann was invited to join the commentary team for the final stages of Aronian v Carlsen, and made the most of his triumph and a post-game reunion with Aronian. Carlsen blamed his defeat on a 'complete collapse' of his nervous system. Besides his failure against Aronian, he also allowed Wesley So a mate in four moves. In fairness, he recovered well from his expensive early errors, scored five successive wins before defeating Nakamura in the third place match, and still leads the overall Tour standings going into the next multi-hub leg in September and the final in Cape Town in December. Niemann showed commanding form when he defeated the US champion Fabiano Caruana, against whom he had previously had poor results, by 2.5-1.5. In their third game, Caruana settled for a draw by threefold repetition when he had an edge, prompting Niemann to say he was not surprised: 'I think that my nerves, when there's low time, are clearly better than his. I play a lot more blitz, I'm younger, and I also play much faster.' Niemann finally met his match in the final for the $200,000 top prize, which Aronian won 1.5-0.5, but only after a double blunder where Niemann could have won a pawn race to queen, but missed a simple deciding move. Nakamura also failed to clinch a winning sequence against Carlsen before losing 0.5-1.5. It seems that the psychological burden of playing for a total of half a million dollars proved difficult for all of them. The Freestyle Tour's future is unclear. Its huge $3.75m prize fund dwarfs even the $1.5m for chess in the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia next week, but is related to a $12m investment by the venture capital firm Left Lane Capital, which was made on the apparent assumption that the Tour would attract major television coverage. That does not appear to be the case so far, even though the event was a sell-out for the hundreds of spectators, who were allowed to bring in mobile phones and could talk loudly, with the players protected from the noise by earphones. The time controls, which were originally slow classical to satisfy Carlsen, were speeded up to one hour rapid in the interest of a fast-paced event. The Tour suffers in the eyes of the majority of grandmasters because entry is effectively restricted to the top 25-30 players in the world, with ratings above Fide 2725. Beyond that, there remains the troubling problem that, although Freestyle Chess sparks creativity and greatly reduces the need for opening preparation, it also makes it harder for even strong players viewing the games to relate the positions to their previous experience. One of the more easily understandable games, and an elegant victory, was Nakamura v So, where the world No 2 trapped his opponent's queen in just 17 moves. Elsewhere, last weekend's English Championship at Kenilworth, Warwickshire, turned into a trial of strength between the country's top two grandmasters, the world senior champion Michael Adams and the former Russian champion Nikita Vitiugov, which continued right into a tie-break for first prize which Adams edged 2.5-1.5. It was an impressive performance by Adams, the 53-year-old from Taunton, Somerset, whose wins over the defending champion Gawain Jones and England's youngest grandmaster, 16-year-old Shreyas Royal, were both of the highest class. Adams's tie-break strategy against Vitiugov, keeping a tight grip on the position until his opponent lost patience, was also very effective. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Vitiugov lost little in defeat. He is a strong grandmaster in the Soviet tradition, and showed his quality by a fine attacking win against Ameet Ghasi in the final round. Royal had the best tie-break of those tied for third, played an excellent attack against John Emms, and appeared a potential 2600 player. Matthew Wadsworth, whose GM title has just been confirmed by Fide, also looked the part. Final leading scores were Adams and Vitiugov 6/7, Royal, Wadsworth, Peter Roberson, and Jones 5.5. Elmira Mirzoeva retained the English Women's title. The old hands triumphed, while the losers were the ambitious amateurs and the teen or sub-teen juniors, groups that lacked outstanding performers. They will not have to wait long for another opportunity, though, because the British Championship starts at Liverpool next Thursday. Meanwhile Dan Fernandez, the 30-year-old England No 16, who is ambitious to break into the Olympiad team, has just scored a career-best result at the Ghent Open in Belgium, winning first prize with a spectacular 7.5/9, two points clear of the field and with a 2645 tournament performance rating. India's 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh defeated China's Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 to reach Saturday's final of the Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Deshmukh will meet her compatriot Humpy Koneru, who won 5-3 against China's Lei Tingjie in the second semi-final. Finally, a word on The American Chess Magazine, which is one of the best of its kind. The latest issue, available separately, includes a rare account by Boris Spassky of his first meeting with Bobby Fischer, an analysis of the best queen sacrifices in chess history, advice on openings, and much more. 3981 1 Rxe8+! Rxe8 2 Nxf6+ gxf6 3 Bb5! Resigns. White wins the e8 rook or mates by Qg4+ and Qg7.
Business Wire
21-07-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Everlab Raises US$10M Seed Round to Deliver Scalable, AI-Powered Preventive Healthcare
MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Everlab, the AI-powered health platform reimagining preventive care, today announced a US$10 million (AU$15 million) seed round led by global growth equity firm Left Lane Capital. The funding will accelerate Everlab's international expansion, fuel the development of its proprietary AI healthtech platform, and support the rollout of a deeply integrated product ecosystem designed to deliver lifelong, proactive care. Chronic disease is responsible for over 70% of global deaths, yet most healthcare systems remain reactive, designed to treat illness only after it appears. While early detection and personalized intervention can save lives, they remain inaccessible for most. Everlab addresses this gap with a tiered membership model that combines advanced diagnostics, digital-first doctor consultations, and intelligent health insights to deliver personalized prevention at scale. Members have access to comprehensive screening services, including advanced blood testing, whole-body MRIs, DEXA scans, VO2 max, ECG, isometric strength, continuous glucose monitoring, food journal analysis, and CT coronary angiograms paired with continuous support and personalized prevention plans. The flagship Protocol membership delivers year-round diagnostics and clinically guided interventions, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional care models. At the core of Everlab's offering is its proprietary, full-stack clinical platform: a suite of AI agents that ingest, analyze, and interpret complex health data. These agents automate clinical summaries, identify early risk markers, and recommend personalized next steps, freeing physicians from administrative overhead and enabling earlier, more precise interventions. Through integrations with national pathology and radiology networks, Everlab maintains a real-time, longitudinal health record for every member, deeply embedding the platform within the existing healthcare system. 'We believe everyone deserves access to world-class preventive care,' said Marc Hermann, Founder and CEO of Everlab. 'By combining AI with the knowledge of leading clinicians, we've built a new kind of health platform designed to deliver smarter, earlier care to millions.' Everlab's early momentum has been significant. With tens of thousands of customers on its waitlist and growing demand across both consumer and enterprise markets, the company is on track for 20x growth this year. Its go-to-market model positions Everlab as the leading provider of high-quality, prevention-focused care. To date, Everlab has processed over 1,000,000 biomarkers through full-body health testing. Alarmingly, one in four test results are abnormal, and for 2.5% of members, findings have been life-changing—uncovering serious conditions such as blocked arteries, gastrointestinal tumors, early-stage cancers, and congenital brain abnormalities. Beyond diagnostics, Everlab provides data-driven, personalized interventions tailored to each member's risk profile and health goals. Results from a meta-analysis of members retested at the platform's built-in six-month mark show that over one-third of modifiable biomarkers improved, demonstrating the tangible health impact of Everlab's model. 'Preventive care has always been a medical ideal but rarely a commercial reality,' said Laura Sillman, Principal at Left Lane Capital. 'Everlab has built a product and model that makes it scalable, combining clinical depth with software leverage and operational precision. We're excited to support them as they build a category-defining platform.' With this new round of funding, Everlab will continue to grow its clinic network, expand its engineering and clinical teams, and advance its AI-powered infrastructure—laying the foundation for a global, scalable system of preventive healthcare. About Everlab Everlab is an AI-powered health platform delivering personalized, preventive care through advanced diagnostics, automation, and deeply integrated clinical workflows. Based in Melbourne, Everlab's mission is to build the world's most effective system for preventing disease and extending lifespan. For more information, visit About Left Lane Capital Founded in 2019, Left Lane Capital is a New York and London-based venture capital and growth equity firm investing in high-growth internet and consumer technology businesses globally. Left Lane's mission is to partner with extraordinary entrepreneurs who create category-defining companies across growth sectors of the economy. Select investments include Bilt Rewards, Prenuvo, Olipop, Talkiatry, Wayflyer, Hnry, Blank Street, Kittl, Evvy, and more. For more information, visit
AU Financial Review
21-07-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
New York VC takes stake in Aussie start-up promising longevity
Everlab, a preventive healthcare startup that performs full-body MRI scans to screen for potential problems in asymptomatic patients, is ready for international expansion after closing off one of Australia's largest seed rounds for 2025. The Melbourne-based startup has secured $15 million in seed funding in a round led by Left Lane Capital, a New York and London-based venture capital and growth equity firm. The funds will fuel Everlab's international expansion efforts into Europe, the United States and across APAC in 2026, and grow its clinic network and develop the platform.
Fintech News ME
10-07-2025
- Business
- Fintech News ME
LemFi Launches International Payment Services to Egypt
LemFi, a London-based international payment services company, has announced the expansion of its operations to Egypt, broadening its service offerings to one of Africa's key remittance corridors. The move builds on LemFi's existing footprint in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, and supports its ongoing strategy to serve diaspora communities across North Africa, including those in Morocco and Tunisia. Egypt remains one of the continent's most significant economies and a major recipient of global remittances. In 2024, the country received a record US$29.6 billion in remittances, nearly double the amount recorded in the previous year. In 2023, remittance inflows represented 6.11% of Egypt's GDP. Ongoing economic reforms have contributed to increased trust in the formal financial sector, creating opportunities for international payment providers to support a growing flow of funds from abroad. LemFi's expansion is intended to address the needs of the Egyptian diaspora residing in countries where the company is already active. According to Philip Daniel, LemFi's Head of Global Expansion and Growth, 'Egypt's significance as a remittance destination cannot be understated. In recent years, the corridor has experienced consistent growth. Whether in LemFi's existing markets, specifically the United States, or in other markets that align with our global expansion ambitions, the Egyptian diaspora is significant, and they deserve quality service, such as the one we offer.' The company's entry into Egypt follows a broader pattern of increased adoption of digital financial services in the region. LemFi has positioned itself to offer cross-border payment solutions aimed at enhancing access, reliability, and affordability for diaspora communities. Since its establishment, LemFi has served over two million customers across the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. In January 2025, the company raised US$53 million in Series B funding, bringing its total investment to over US$86 million. Investors include Highland Europe, LeftLane Capital, Endeavour Capital, and Y Combinator.
The Guardian
18-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Chess: Carlsen scores in Paris, leads Freestyle Grand Slam after two events
Magnus Carlsen, the world No 1, scored a low-key triumph on Monday when he won the Paris leg of the $3.75m Freestyle Grand Slam by defeating his old rival and world No 2, USA's Hikaru Nakamura, by 1.5-0.5 in the final. It was patient attrition over the two games, worthy of a place in the Carlsen-David Howell book Grind like a Grandmaster. The decisive first game had some technical errors, which the Norwegian described almost apologetically in his post-game interview. The rematch was more routine as the 34-year-old simplified to his goal of a drawn rook endgame and a move-40 handshake. Carlsen now has the overall lead in the five-leg $3.75m Grand Slam which continues later in the year at Las Vegas, Delhi and Cape Town. Earlier, he displayed his creativity when he gave up his queen for three minor pieces in his quarter-final, and his versatility and his continuing hunger for more chess when, his day's work done in Paris, he took part in weekly Titled Tuesday and made a clean sweep of all 11 games, a rare feat which he has achieved twice previously. This week, Carlsen did it again, winning Titled Tuesday with an unbeaten 10/11. The openings in Freestyle are a treacherous swamp, where careless play can lead to a lost position within a dozen moves. Relevant experience helps, though. Freestyle has 960 different starting positions, but there have been cases where one of the 960 appeared in a previous tournament, and a GM has remembered it. Some time in the first 20 or so moves, a Freestyle position often becomes recognisably similar to normal chess and the players can use their previous knowledge effectively. In Carlsen's Freestyle games, he spots this metamorphosis and transformation faster than his rivals, and that is one secret of his continued success. A negative at Paris was the failure of the four Indians who have dominated classical chess in recent years. Only Arjun Erigaisi, who remained true to his attacking style and emerged in fifth place, did well, while Gukesh Dommaraju, the 18-year-old classical world champion, did worst, finishing 11th out of 12. What happens to the 2025 Freestyle Grand Slam in the coming months remains to be seen. Its third leg, scheduled for New York in late July, has been moved to Las Vegas and reduced from eight days to five, allowing two games a day in the interests of publicity. This means a faster time limit, from slow classical chess, as championed by Carlsen, to one-hour rapid games. The change may also reflect the worsened economic climate. The Grand Slam series, which was projected to break even with the help of new trading partners by 2026, is financially backed by a $12m investment from the New York based venture capitalist firm Left Lane Capital, which is privately quoted but is still susceptible to market downturns and recessions. The pressures for Freestyle to achieve faster profitability, and wider support among the chess public and media, are increasing. Ju Wenjun, the holder, won four games in succession against her demoralised challenger, Tan Zhongyi, to score a 6.5-2.5 victory in the $500,000 Women's World Championship match in Chongqing. Game seven was Tan's nadir as she allowed her a8 black bishop to be entombed by her own c6 pawn and a c5 white knight. Ju needed just a draw in Wednesday's ninth game (of 12) to take the crown for the fifth time in her career. Ju has now equalled the title totals of Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze, both of Georgia, who each won five crowns between 1962 and 1988, The all-time record holder remains Vera Menchik, a Czech who lived most of her life in London. Menchik won eight titles between 1927 and 1939 before being killed by a German V1 bomb at her Clapham home in 1944. Shreyas Royal, England's youngest ever grandmaster, scored his best performance so far in 2025 when he totalled 6.5/9 at the Reykjavik Open after sharing the lead two rounds from the finish. It brought a pairing with Iran's world No 31, Parham Maghsoodloo, which Royal lost in 17 moves due to 9…Bxc3+? (9..d6!) allowing the top seed's 12 Ba3! with decisive threats to d6. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Nigel Short, the 1993 world title challenger, is making a rare competitive appearance this week in the Bangkok Open, where his third round win started with the Grand Prix Attack and led to a devastating assault on his opponent's king. England swept the board at last week's European Senior over-50 and over-65 Championships at Swidnica, Poland, last weekend, winning three team golds, one team bronze, and 14 individual medals. Both England 50+, led by Michael Adams, and England 65+, headed by John Nunn, won every match and neither lost a single game. Such a feat would normally rank much higher in this column, but entries for the event were low both in quality and quantity. The European Seniors were staged only two months after the World Seniors in Prague, a popular venue, while many seniors have been deterred by Fide's overzealous Fair Play anti-cheating officials, which sparked a public rebuke by Malcolm Pein in Chess magazine. BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame reaches episode seven (of eight) on Easter Monday at 8pm. Audience numbers, supplied by Broadcast, remain rock solid at 600.000, 5% of the viewing audience, and indicative of a significant loyal fan base. Next Monday's episode will include an appearance by Bodhana Sivanandan, the Harrow 10-year-old who has become globally famous. Sivanandan is likely to take on all six remaining contestants simultaneously, a feat which will be familiar to her. Here is how, at age eight, she defeated Harrow Chess Club 5-1. What do retired grandmasters do? One answer, as explained here by GM Jonathan Levitt, is to write song lyrics about Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. 3968: 1…Rf4! wins with the threat 2…g3 and 3…Qh2 mate. If 2 Qc3 Qh4 3 Qc8+ Kh7 and White has no defence to 4…g3.
